Police Investigate Clarkson Student's Knife Injury

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Potsdam police are still sorting out what led to a Clarkson University student being slashed in the hand with a pocketknife during what is being described as "horseplay" between a group of students.

(See update at bottom of this story.)

Police tell 7 News several students were walking in the vicinity of Cheel Arena early Thursday morning when the students became engaged in horseplay after a hat was taken from one of the students.

That's when a 19 year old male student apparently pulled out a pocketknife and slashed a 21 year old male, resulting in a minor cut to the hand.

The injury did not require medical treatment.

Village Police Chief Kevin Bates declined comment when police were made aware of the incident and said the investigation is still underway.

A blotter entry indicated police were not immediately notified of the incident until several hours later.

University officials released a statement saying "Clarkson Campus Safety & Security followed its usual protocol in reporting its activities to the village of Potsdam Police Department."

The statement also says, "We have cooperated fully with village police on their follow-up."

No charges have been filed and university officials declined comment on whether the students involved would face any disciplinary action.

(Update, 2.2.13: Potsdam police reported in their daily record of police action that Aaron Rist, 19, a Clarkson University student, was "involved in an altercation with another CU student and had displayed a folding knife with a 3 inch blade." Rist was charged with menacing, second degree and issued an appearance ticket. The report said nothing about the other student being injured.)